First stage included interviews and focus groups with men who have sex with men (18-45 years old). Then a peer-network was piloted, peer recruiters were trained on HIV basics, home test kit use, strategies to support friends that tested positive and link them to care, locations where confirmatory testing and treatment is available, and data collection procedures. Peer recruiters earned up to US$300. Peer recruiters asked testers to fill out an online survey; testers did not receive incentives. Following the pilot, they will conduct a full implementation and evaluation of the peer network-based self-testing and peer navigation intervention.

Summary of findings

Three focus groups with 20 HIV-negative African American (AA) and Latino men who have sex with men (MSM) and 8 in-depth interviews were conducted with both HIV-positive and HIV-negative AA and Latino MSM, all aged 18-45 years. Qualitative data reported that participants would be willing to ask their friends to use HIVST. Training on the test and how to help their friends if they tested was provided; training and support needs included HIV basics, usinositive (emotionally and linking to care). Regarding data collection, anonymous surveys were acceptable but medical release forms were not.